The Buffalo Hunter Hunter
Stephen Graham Jones
ARC viewed courtesy of Saga Press and NetGalley

To call The Buffalo Hunter Hunter a western Interview with the Vampire would be a terrible oversimplification. Stephen Graham Jones’ latest novel is a compelling blend of gothic horror and historical fiction, interlaced with magical realism derived from Native American mythology.

It begins in 2012, with academic Etsy Beaucarne, alerted to a 100 year-old journal discovered hidden within the wall of an old Lutheran parsonage. It is the journal of her great-great-grandfather, Arthur Beaucarne, a German-American Lutheran pastor in Miles City, Montana, written in 1912. Here he documented the “confessions” of a mysterious Blackfeet indian, Good Stab, mainly relaying events beginning with what was the Marias Massacre of January 23, 1870.

Written in three different timelines, from the POV of the three main characters, with period-correct grammar and thought process unique to each character. The characters are complex, lusciously peeled back layer by layer as the story progresses. The writing and pacing keep you on your toes, with gradually building suspense and dread.

It is a novel of transformation, from the innocent Weasel Plume to the man Good Stab, to the monster Takes No Scalps / hero Fullblood. It is about how revenge can transform us. It is about injustice and genocide, about treating “others” as subhuman, about revenge and atonement, about the death the plains buffalo and of a way of life.

"What I am is the Indian who can't die. I'm the worst dream America ever had."

Living a stone’s throw from “the Backbone” (GNP), this novel was a particular treat for me, learning the significance to the Blackfeet of days gone by (and of today) of places that heretofore have been mere attractions and hiking spots. Also precious is the insight into Blackfeet cultural heritage and mythology. Lastly, if this book only makes you learn about the Marias Massacre, it would have been well worth it. I have read quite a bit of SGJ, and I must say this, I think, is one of his best works.

5 stars

CW: Graphic violence, rape, sodomy

I’d not read a Stephen Graham Jones book before but this one had an interesting premise so I gave it a shot. I am not sure if this is the usually style of writing for him but it was just not one I enjoyed or could really get into. It felt like everything was almost written in a backwards, overly wordy style and I found myself having to look up way too many words to even figure out the meaning. The Indian Good Stab’s whole POV was exhausting to follow and I still don’t know what some animals he referred to are. Everything felt like it was written to feel intentionally over your head. I loved the historical aspect but overall, this wasn’t a book for me to really enjoy and feel interested in.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book and give my honest opinion.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a love letter to Montana and a unique take on the vampire mythos - a blood soaked and gore stained journey through the "Wild West" from past to present.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter follows three narratives: Etsy's POV reading through her great grandfather's recently found journals in hopes of writing a tenure worthy piece on the subject, Arthur Beaucarne's POV as a pastor writing the tales of one of his more mysterious constituents, and Good Stab's POV as a Pikuni narrating the story of his life...and afterlife.

I enjoyed the setting, especially because I have been to the majority of locations mentioned in the novel and I think that helped a lot. Chief Mountain is just a stones throw away from the very place I call home, Glacier National Park is right in my backyard, and I've visited many of the towns mentioned in the novel as well.

The book, overall, was slow. It built off the historical setting, the locale, and the vibes for the majority of the novel with punches of gore here and there. I had expected a lot more vampire-ness(?) but it was more a story about human morals and generational guilt/trauma. It was good, but I just wanted...more.

4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for this arc! I’ve only read one other book from Stephen Graham Jones, but I really enjoyed it and was elated to be approved for this one.

SGJ is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors for his unique story telling. This book is told through a journal of a woman’s great grandfather, who was having conversations with an indigenous man named Good Stab. This story includes some of the experience of reading this journal in present times, the mindset of this white man in 1912 while hearing this story, and the experiences of Good Stabs life. All of this comes with a bloody vampire-like twist that keeps the story eerie.

As per usual with a SGJ book, throw everything you know about horror writing out the window. This book was dark and gruesome, however not just from the on-page gore. This book centers around the experiences of indigenous people in North America during the mid/late 1800s and early 1900s. It has a unique approach to bringing awareness to the atrocities occurring during this time period, both to the indigenous people and the land itself. It is a bit slow, but the underlying tension that develops as the story goes keeps it intriguing.

Stephen Graham Jones is a phenomenal author and I was so excited to be able to get my hands on The Buffalo Hunter Hunter. I'm not sure what I was expecting but when I started to read this book just wasn't it, I felt like I was reading a chemistry textbook. Nothing made sense, everything was dry, and I had a hard time even staying awake. Super disappointed in this one, for a horror story falling asleep just wasn't what I wanted.

Told in the form of 100-year-old journal entries, interspersed with the modern-day commentary of a descendant and researcher, this book provides a supernatural explanation for the very real Marias Massacre in the form of a Pikuni vampire seeking revenge.
I was really excited for this, but unfortunately I am reviewing at about 15% completion, with the intention to try it again later.
I should have known, given that I've read some other SGJ, that the writing style would be difficult for me to engage with. If you are someone who likes or at least doesn't mind reading prose in the style of early 1900s diaries, this is for you. The 3 star rating is my personal opinion that stems from my shortcomings as a reader - this felt too narrative, like a screenplay, where I prefer books with more character immersion. Other than my inability to grasp the value here, objectively, it is well written with SGJ's trademark talent and flair. I just don't like it enough to keep reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I talked about this in one of my recent booktube videos and I will do so again for this books video. Stephen Graham Jones writes two distinctly different kinds of books. Either they are slasher horror or historical horror. I have LOVED every slasher horror I've read from him. I wish I were able to enjoy more of the historical ones. This is not his fault, it's mine. I really struggle to keep up with the story and understand the metaphors, deeper meanings, etc. With his books, because they are incredibly so well written and cerebral, I feel like I can't understand enough of the story to read it. If you liked The Only Good Indians you will love this.

I think in the future I will try again to read this but with a pen and highlighter like it's a text book. I want so desperately to love it but I just didn't understand it. This is not a bad review, it's more of a me problem. I mostly just want people to know that if you like his more historical stuff Only Good Indians you will love this. If you're more in the camp of I Was a Teenage Slasher you may struggle. If you're lucky enough to understand both, well, you go girl.

This was my first book by Stephen Graham Jones. This was an interesting read! I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books in this genre.

Etsy is given her great grandfather’s journal from 1912 which tells the story of his interactions with Good Stab- a member of the Blackfeet who tells him he wants to make his confession. As a Lutheran minister, this should not be a big deal but it quickly becomes obvious that both men have something to hide. Great historical novel/ vampire tale.
The language at the beginning was a bit daunting- I had no idea what some of the animals were- but it became easier the farther the novel progressed.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC- my opinions are my own.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it absolutely DELIVERED. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down. My Heart Is A Chainsaw is one of my favorite books of all time, and what I love about Stephen's work is how he balances horror and gore, with something deeper, heartfelt, thought-provoking, and emotional, always rooted in vital topics that speak to us now. This was creepy but also elegant, deliciously gothic, with immersive world-building. It definitely had some Interview With a Vampire vibes, but with a Stephen Graham Jones twist. He remains one of my favorite authors, and this just might be one of his best, yet. I feel really honored to have gotten the chance to read this early, it meant a lot to me.

***Please check trigger warnings before diving in, and do what's best for you.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is Stephen Graham Jones's finest novel to date. A nesting-doll story that weaves together three separate but interconnected narratives: a 21st Century professor desperate for tenure, a Lutheran minister in 1912 Montana, and a Blackfeet named Good Stab.

This book is amazingly well-written and researched, and its take on vampirism is COMPLETELY original. A rarity for the genre.

I cannot recommend this novel enough. 5 Stars. A deeply affecting, scary, funny ride.

One day, Etsy Beaucarne is contacted by a librarian with an interesting find. A construction worker restoring an old rectory came across an old journal, crumbling in his hands. The book, now in the capable hands of this trusty librarian, is the journal of Etsy's great-great grandfather. Arthur Beaucarne was a Lutheran pastor in Miles City, Montana, in the early 1900s. Etsy is thrilled; a tale from her ancestor and a way for her to achieve tenure at her university. Unfortunately for her, the tale seems unbelievable. Except it's true...

Good Stab, an Indian man who began visiting his church, desired confession. As any good pastor would, Arthur listened to his increasing bizarre tale week after week. Despite his skepticism, the more he listens, the more he believes. Problem is, if the story is true, Arthur is in grave danger.

As usual, it took me a bit to get into Jones' writing. His writing is the equivalent of enjoying a fine dining meal - each word is to be savored, to be ruminated on. It always takes me a little while to get used to the experience but once I'm immersed, I can't stop until it's done. Normally I wouldn't be interested in a historical vampire novel, but I loved this book. Arthur and Good Stab's story was fascinating, but the way it tied into Etsy's was perfect. Yet another 5 star read from SGJ. I just can't get enough of them!

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

My mother has a disclaimer she likes to use when telling of a horrible thing that happened, "this is a sad story with a bad ending." That really sums up the experience of reading this book. I don't mean bad as in "poorly crafted" but bad as in you close the book feeling a sense of dread and devastation that only the best horror stories can elicit. This is my first Stephen Graham Jones book and it will not be my last! This was masterfully written. The beginning took a little bit for me to get into but I feel that may be a personal problem as I don't read a lot of historical fiction so the prose was a bit foreign to me. Once the story got going though, brain adapted and it was so so good. I truly loved how vampires are explored in this, give me grimy gross vampires over clean and cold ones any day. That said, this book's descriptions had me legitimately lightheaded at times so big warning for gore and body horror! There were moments when I was so drawn in and freaked out in a good way that I realized why people like rollercoasters (not a rollercoaster fan myself). I cannot recommend this enough to horror fans. Truly, a book that I will keep thinking about every so often and go "damn".

TWs: Gore, Body Horror, Blood, Animal Death, Vomit, Rape (minor, happens around the halfway point if anyone wants to skip that scene)

SJG ventures into vampire territory and it does not disappoint. I had trouble reading and following some of his other books but this on was written in a better way for more. Lots of blood and violence and a look at the horrible atrocities in American history. Great historical fiction blending with supernatural horror. Book is available March 18, 2025.

What an eerily insane book this is! I wouldn't expect anything less from the author who takes the horror genre into another realm.

My favorite thing about the book was the character of Good Stab, and how the author so masterfully molded him into a character that is likable despite his horrible actions. The man is noble and lives to defend his tribe and the bison who are being slaughtered by the white man. I was so enthralled with the story, I'd forgotten that it began in modern-day so I was jolted towards the end of the story when it returned to the present. This part of the book was probably the most far out and I even laughed a few times at the ridiculousness but it held my interest and it added some spooky depth to the story.

I'm glad Good Stab got his ultimate justice and that he was able to get closure.

Can't wait for the next book by this author!

SGJ is never going to write anything less than mind-blown, heart-erupting, stellar. He's made characters here that I could read forever, with a deeply-felt message, and wrapped in a book that kept me up for two solid days.

I felt that this book was well written, well researched, and genuinely brought new and unique ideas to the vampire genre. I would definitely would recommend checking the content warnings before diving in if you’re at all squeamish.

This is my first Stephen Graham Jones novel. I am quite impressed with the writing! Very elegant, but at the same time, eerie. The character development is spot on. All the main characters are well fleshed out. The world building is just as amazing. It is like you are actually there living the story. This will not be my last Stephen Graham Jones novel!

#NetGalley #TheBuffaloHunterHunter

Thank you Netgalley. I absolutely loved this vampire novel. I love how it's steeped in history and I love Good Stab. Good Stab is a very interesting character. I enjoyed how Good Stab told his story through confession.
This was a very unique vampire novel. It was also refreshing to finally have another vampire novel where the vampire can do one of the things that has seem to be forgotten about Dracula. (If you know you know.)
I love Stephen Graham-Jones and his writing style. This novel is definitely going to remain one of my favorites of his.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones offers a unique and immersive experience, delving into a complex narrative that intertwines themes of identity, history, and the haunting legacy of violence. Jones’ writing is sharp and clever, with moments of brilliance that capture the struggle of grappling with both personal and cultural demons. His exploration of the supernatural and historical layers is deeply engaging, pulling readers into a world that is often unsettling, but undeniably thought-provoking.

However, while the premise is compelling, the novel does falter at times due to its slow pacing and repetitive elements. Certain plot points and ideas are revisited so often that they lose their impact, and the narrative can feel drawn out, with some sections dragging longer than necessary. The pace occasionally stumbles, making it hard to maintain momentum through parts of the story that feel like they’re circling the same ground without much progression.

That being said, Jones’ writing is still powerful, and his ability to create atmosphere and provoke thought is not to be underestimated. The philosophical musings on fate, violence, and the cyclical nature of history add a richness to the narrative, even if some moments feel like they could have been trimmed for better flow. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a challenging read, one that will resonate with those willing to look beyond its slower moments and appreciate the depth of the questions it raises.

While not flawless, the book remains an intriguing and distinctive work from an author who isn’t afraid to push boundaries and explore difficult truths. If you can push through its repetitive stretches, it offers a story that lingers in your mind long after you've finished.